How do you clean rugs and remove stains?

Rugs have been among the most popular pieces of home furnishing for centuries. They give any room more warmth and comfort. With the right care a favourite rug lasts a very long time, and can even grow more attractive over the years. Oriental rugs with a patina have a character all of their own. 
Because dust and bacteria gradually build up in a rug, cleaning your good pieces regularly matters a great deal. A care routine and a cleaning schedule help here. At regular intervals a professional rug cleaning is advisable, to lift every stain and residue out of the fibres completely. 

Beating out, vacuuming and cleaning are the most important steps in keeping a rug well cared for over many years. A thorough beating alone frees natural and synthetic-fibre rugs of dust and dirt particles. 
The rug should always be shaken out in the open air, otherwise the indoor air fills with too much dust. A high dust load in the air you breathe is bad for your health – and besides, the dust simply lands back on the rug an hour later. 
After shaking, the remaining dirt is removed with the vacuum cleaner. It is worth going over the same spot several times and taking your time. The more thorough the vacuuming, the better the result. 
Vacuuming stops pet hair, dust and street dirt working deep into the weave. Brush attachments are meant more for stubborn soiling, since over time they abrade and strain the fibre. Rotating brushes are particularly difficult, because they sometimes pull fibres out altogether. 
Thick rugs above all should be vacuumed carefully. Changing direction helps you catch every fibre. The vacuum bag and the tubes should be completely sealed, so that the dust cannot escape again. 
Particularly stubborn dirt, such as dried mud, can be scraped off carefully with a blunt object. A spoon works quite well for this. The rug is then vacuumed as normal. 
With very delicate materials such as silk it is better to skip vacuuming altogether and work with a soft brush instead. The dust is then brushed out of the rug in the direction of the pile. This is why caring for silk rugs is so time-consuming. 
After shaking and vacuuming, rugs are largely free of dirt. These simple steps preserve the sheen and the suppleness of the fibres over the long term. 

Airing is part of the cleaning routine too. Fresh air lets odours disappear and the fibres breathe out. It should of course be dry when you do it – moisture does rugs no good. 
Sunlight also kills bacteria. To avoid the colours fading, though, the rug should not be left in intense sun for hours. In a shaded spot rugs can happily stay out in the fresh air for a few hours. 
Small rugs can also be dried in the sun after a machine wash. The air gives an astonishing feeling of freshness, and the wind blows dust and dirt out of the fibres. 
A rug should therefore get some fresh air at least three times a year. On a balcony it can be hung out more often than that. Fresh air does no harm at all. 

The natural fibres include, alongside cotton and silk, both jute and sisal. When cleaning natural fibres it is worth being especially careful and gentle, since natural fibres are more delicate. 
Strongly alkaline cleaning products do not suit natural fibres. Soap, lye and stain salts quickly leave unsightly discolouration and rings. They bleach the colours and draw the natural oils out of the fibres, leaving them brittle and dull. 
Animal wool and hair are less delicate than plant fibres. Wool can be cleaned with curd soap. Before using it, it is good to try the product on an inconspicuous spot. A test can save you from greater damage. 
Impregnating sprays are unsuitable for natural fibres. The fibres can then no longer let moisture through, and musty fibres or mould can be the result. 

Sisal rugs are known for being robust and hard-wearing, and they look particularly natural. When cleaning them, it is important not to use water. 
These rugs do not tolerate moisture at all. Sisal rugs should only be vacuumed and shaken out, which is why stains are difficult to remove. 

Wool rugs offer a great deal of comfort. They feel soft and warm underfoot, and they are genuine showpieces. 
Alkaline solutions damage the structure of the hair, so cleaning products with an acidic pH are better suited. Vinegar and lemon juice with water are good options. Stains can also be lifted with sparkling water. Wool rugs can get wet, but must then be dried thoroughly. 

For silk rugs and valuable rugs, regular professional care is advisable. Many stains can only be removed with professional methods, products and equipment. 
Regular vacuuming and beating are no substitute for a professional rug cleaning. Rugs should be professionally cleaned every five years. With a high-pile rug this matters especially, since the dust works deep into the weave. 
Good occasions are a thorough spring clean or a move. After renovation work that has created a lot of dust, a professional rug cleaning is advisable too. 
A properly carried out wash also removes deep-seated dirt particles, along with pests and bacteria. The costs can be settled quickly in a consultation; prices depend on the size of the rug and the work involved. 
The cost per square metre can be calculated precisely. The advice and the service are entirely professional, and the rugs look completely transformed afterwards. 

A regular rug care routine includes shaking out, vacuuming and airing. Rugs should be cleaned at least once a week. For cleaning you need suitable products – every material tolerates only certain ones. Every five years you should have your rugs cleaned professionally, to lift the dirt out from deep down.